MayaBay: a culinary Odyssey between Montecarlo and Dubai

Dubai and Montecarlo, two luxury destinations, converge in an extraordinary culinary experience at MayaBay, a renowned venue that recently opened its outpost at Jumeirah Al Naseem. From Montecarlo to Dubai, MayaBay offers an Asian flavor symphony in an elegant setting, with Chef Shane Mac Neill at the helm.

 

 

Located in the heart of Dubai, MayaBay’s outpost offers a spectacular view of the Turtle Lagoon and Burj Al Arab, transforming every meal into an unparalleled visual and gastronomic experience. The restaurant, already famous in Montecarlo, continues to capture the hearts of discerning gastronomes worldwide.

 

 

A cultural blend at the table: from Montecarlo’s MayaBay to Dubai

The beating heart of this experience is Executive Chef Shane Mac Neill, an internationally acclaimed culinary talent who has brought his culinary mastery to MayaBay. The menu, drawing from culinary traditions across various Asian regions, offers an array of iconic dishes ranging from Thai curry to Chinese dim sum, from Japanese sushi to crispy Maya duck.

 

 

Guests can indulge in exclusive specialties like black cod with miso and honey, caviar-infused dim sum, wagyu beef sashimi, and wok-fried lobster. Each dish is a culinary masterpiece, a perfect blend of authentic flavors and captivating presentation.

 

 

And in each of his dishes, the chef shares elements of his experience.

Shane Mac Neill has been working in high-end and Michelin star restaurants since 1997, and holds a diploma in hospitality management from Worcester College of technology. The first high-end restaurant he worked at was at the Nobu Group, where he discovered his passion for Asian cuisine. After leaving Park Lane, he took on the role of becoming the first head chef at Ubon by Nobu. His time with the group gave him the opportunity to work across different venues, including Nobu Paris, Armani/Nobu in Milan followed by St. Moritz with a pre-season pop-up in the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich, Mykonos, and finally Matsuhisa Athens.

 

 

The eleven years he spent with Nobu had been a giant learning curve for Chef Shane, having worked closely with Nobuyuki Matsuhisa himself on key openings. Shane also considers Mark Edwards, the Nobu group executive, as one of his biggest inspirations. After 11 years with Nobu, Shane moved to work for Cipriani restaurants, giving him an opportunity to create a menu and work on more openings from Abu Dhabi to Ibiza, London, Monte Carlo and finally Miami over a four-year period. In 2018, Shane was appointed head chef and part of Novikov Doha’s pre-opening team. Novikov Doha was also one of the first Novikov restaurants for the group operating without an alcohol license, and Shane successfully managed to tailor all recipes according to the market.

 

 

Shane completed the opening of SHANGHAI ME restaurant in Dubai in July 2019, before joining Orange Hospitality as head chef for MayaBay Mac Neill enjoys the challenge of innovating and improving recipes that have been around for centuries. He explains that a lot of research goes into how a dish is created before it leaves his kitchen, “The sous chefs and the cooks. I like them to get involved with the preparation and the making of the dish. We do a lot of tasting between us and we all have opinions on the dish. And collectively, we then move on to form what we would consider the perfect dish to serve in the restaurant.”

Entertainment and fun: a complete experience at MayaBay

MayaBay is not just a restaurant but also a vibrant entertainment venue. The DJ, from his command post, selects melodies that accompany guests on a unique sonic journey, while percussionists add a touch of excitement. This makes MayaBay the ideal setting for celebrating special occasions, turning a culinary evening into an unforgettable celebration.

 

 

MayaBay’s exclusive atmosphere is emphasized by an interior that combines rich tones, soft lighting, and intricate lattice work. The restaurant’s exclusive environment is a fusion of contemporary luxury and refined details. It all harmoniously blends with Dubai’s unique atmosphere, creating an environment that will undoubtedly amaze and delight guests. Soft lighting, designer furnishings, and impeccable service complete the experience, turning a meal into an unforgettable culinary journey.

 

 

In conclusion, MayaBay stands out as a peerless culinary experience, merging the culinary traditions of Montecarlo with the exclusivity of Dubai. With Chef Shane Mac Neill at the helm, MayaBay continues to be an indispensable gastronomic destination for those seeking not just a meal but an extraordinary culinary experience.

 

Enjoy even more @ MayaBay Dubai

Edit by @ Nadia Toppino & @ Alessia Castelli

Editor @ Monaco Woman